Febuxostat alleviate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in rat model via targeting inflammation, cell death, and intestinal barrier dysfunction

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) constitutes a global health threat with its ability to develop into liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Emerging data suggests that oxidative stress and regulated cell death are major driving forces for liver inflammation in MASH. Febuxostat (Feb.), one of the Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors, has shown promise in significantly improving the prognosis of MASH by reducing inflammatory cytokines and cell death. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of febuxostat on MASH through the modulation of cell death, inflammation, and intestinal permeability, focusing on hepatic mRNAs (HGS, SNF8, TSG101) and their epigenetic regulators (rno-miR-6216, rno-miR-1224). MASH was induced in Wistar rats via a High-sucrose high-fat (HSHF) diet over 14 weeks, followed by febuxostat treatment at doses of 1.5, 3, and 6 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Febuxostat treatment significantly improved liver function and lipid profiles, reduced hepatic steatosis, intralobular inflammation, and ballooning, and restored normal expression of the hepatic RNA panel by downregulating HGS, SNF8, and TSG101 mRNAs and their epigenetic regulators. Furthermore, febuxostat decreased serum levels of inflammatory (IL6), fibrosis (TGFB1), and cell death (TSG101) markers while reducing apoptosis and regulated cell death via modulation of Caspase-3 and LC3B expression. Improvements in intestinal permeability were evident via reductions in serum haptoglobin (Hpt) and TMAO and restoration of occludin expression. These findings highlight febuxostat as a promising therapeutic candidate for MASH by targeting key molecular mechanisms of liver inflammation and gut-liver axis dysfunction.